Corpus Christi Medical Center healthcare system provides specialized inpatient rehabilitation for patients after surgery, injury, trauma or stroke to regain their quality of life and ability to care for themselves.

The inpatient rehabilitation programs at Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area and Corpus Christi Medical Center Doctors Regional give our patients 24-hour access to nursing and physician care, emergency rapid response care, respiratory support, imaging, labs, telemetry, dialysis, pharmacy and nutrition.

We want to support you through the entire rehabilitation process, enabling you to return to maximum independence and resume your life.

For more information or to speak with one of our therapists, you can schedule an appointment.

Specialized rehab programs

Our specialized programs offer inpatient rehabilitation for a range of conditions, including:

  • Amputations
  • Brain injuries
  • Cardiovascular diseases and heart events (e.g., heart attack)
  • Hip fractures
  • Major traumas
  • Neurological diseases
  • Neuromuscular diseases, including:
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Guillain-Barre syndrome
    • Multiple sclerosis
  • Orthopedic conditions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Stroke

We also treat other conditions based on Medicare guidelines.

Rehab services we provide

Our entire clinical staff is committed to ensuring you receive the greatest benefit from the rehabilitation process. We strive to provide extensive training to both you and your caregivers throughout the duration of the program.

Your rehabilitation care plan may include:

  • Dietary services—Our licensed dietitians will ensure you are nourished in healthy ways to support healing while allowing for individual choice.
  • Rehabilitation nursing—We have specially trained rehab nurses to provide 24-hour personal care and support for your functional and medical needs.
  • Respiratory care—This type of therapy is available to improve chronic breathing problems or those brought on by a medical condition.
  • Social services—Our team of social workers and caseworkers help you and your family members make a smooth transition back home. They also help you arrange for medical equipment and supplies needed once you leave.

Physical therapy

Patients usually come to physical therapy to relieve pain and move better. It's also used to recover from injuries and to grow stronger after an illness or surgery.

Depending on your situation, a physical therapist may prescribe exercises with various devices to help regain your strength. They may also use massage, heat and ice to treat pain and ultrasound to provide deep heating to soft tissues in the body.

Our rehab specialists provide assessments and create an individualized plan for your particular situation. They'll provide instruction in activities and help you with the therapy to regain your overall strength, mobility and endurance.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy is used to improve your ability to accomplish the activities of daily living such as getting dressed, bathing and going to the bathroom.

Activities may include improving fine motor skills, restoring balance or working to increase your functional ability.

Speech therapy

Speech therapists help you improve your communication skills and issues related to speaking, swallowing and cognition. Therapy is usually prescribed for a person who has had a stroke or other neurological condition such as dementia.

Some activities associated with speech therapy include cognitive exercises, breathing exercises and exercises to strengthen oral motor skills.

How our rehab program works

A physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation will direct your care. This doctor sees you at least three times a week, while your other doctors may visit on a consulting basis.

We employ expert physical, speech and occupational therapists to provide you with at least three hours of therapy five to seven days per week. Our specially trained rehabilitation nurses carry over the techniques you learn in treatment throughout the remainder of the day.

We work closely with each patient to bring together the specific therapies that will meet their rehabilitation goals, all focused on returning to maximum independence and quality of life.

Rehab center features

Our inpatient rehabilitation centers have everything patients need on their journey to recovery, including:

  • Full-scale kitchen, bathroom and laundry to work on activities of daily living
  • Fully equipped rehabilitation gym and dining room
  • Gait training devices to help with balance, posture and weight-bearing deficits
  • Mechanized lifting devices
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to improve swallowing function
  • Private rooms

Referrals and admission

Patients may be referred to the inpatient rehabilitation program by physicians, discharge planners, family members, staff, case managers, social services professionals or third-party payors. Our clinical rehab specialist will conduct a screening to determine the patient’s medical needs and appropriateness for inpatient rehabilitation. In most cases, transfers occur within 24 to 48 hours.

Patients may enter inpatient rehab when they have a diagnosis that requires 24-hour nursing care and the need for coordinated intensive therapy. They must participate in physical, occupational and/or speech therapy for at least three hours per day.

Tours of the rehabilitation unit are available. For questions about inpatient rehabilitation or to initiate a patient referral, please call (361) 877-2007 to speak with our clinical rehabilitation specialist.